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The Small Business Festival Victoria is underway offering a slew of fabulous festivities for small business owners to attend.

From workshops to networking opportunities to leadership panels to conferences, seminars and networking breakfasts, there’s something to appeal to all tastes. This year’s festival also shines a spotlight on women in business. With so many activities on offer we’ve pulled out a few highlights that we think shouldn’t be missed.

11. Rendevous with inspirational women in business

An event for Women in Business to connect and network, plus hear firsthand account from women like you as part of a panel discussion from three amazing women from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds (Gillian Franklin – Founder & Managing Director of Heat Group, Leila Henderson – Founder & CEO of Newsmaker and Kondotto and Effie Katz, Founder and Creative Director of Zachary. Get inspired by their stories of business success and their personal journeys that led them to turn their dream into creating multimillion dollar businesses in beauty, fashion and PR. When: 18 August, 5:45 pm – 8:00 pm. Where: The Exchange, Port Melbourne. Cost: $75 (Adult)

10. 5 simple ways to double your profits (webinar)

The key to staying in business is your capacity to make consistent profits. The higher the profits, the more you can grow your business, increase your team and reduce the time you spend working in it. Profitability is also the key driver of cash flow and cash is the lifeblood of any small business. Join this webinar and learn how to increase the five key areas of your business that drive profitability. When: 22 August, 10am-11am. Where: online. Cost: $11.44.

9. Kochie’s Expert Panel: Stay ahead of the Curve

For Pulling out the crystal ball, Kochie and his team of expert panelists take a look forward 2018, unveiling the next big opportunities in digital marketing and offer practical advice on how businesses can get on board to gain a competitive advantage. Topics discussed will be as varied as websites, automation, AI, social media advances, programmatic advertising, and any other related topics that the panelists including Dave Chaffey (KBB Digital), Sharon Williams (Taurus Marketing), Tom Griffith (Emma & Tom’s) debate. A don’t miss event about the future of digital marketing! When: 23 August, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Where: Online. Cost: Free. Sign up by clicking here!

8. Mobilising women in business

Are you ready for the 4th Industrial Revolution? This full day conference will hear from global influencers, thinkers and experts at the forefront of change who are focussed on the rapid growth of technology and the disruption… When: 29 August, 8:00 am – 6:30 pm. Where: ZINC at Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Cost: $470 (Adult), $329 (Early Bird), $423 (Member)

7. Be a Goodsmith: Bring social purpose to everyday business

‘Doing good’, ‘social impact’ and ‘purpose led’ are buzzwords increasingly on trend in business circles right now. But what does it all mean to you and your business venture? How does ‘purpose’ fit with your vision, the products you develop or the services you offer? Explore and discuss all these questions during a day-long series of events, workshops and networking opportunities at the Small Business Hub. When: 24 August, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Where: Donkey Wheel House, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Cost: $75 (Early Bird), $90 (Adult)

6. Your Business Breakfast

Imagine a crystal ball that looks into the future to predict economic trends, movements of customers, industry expectations and how these lead to better business decisions. Of course, no such device exists. Your next best option is to join us for breakfast with one of Australia’s leading social commentators, Bernard Salt as he explains the mega and micro trends shaping your customer base. When: 30 August, 7:00 am – 9:30 am. Where: Malvern Town Hall, Malvern, Victoria, Australia. Cost: $65

5. Small Business BIG Ideas

Do you want your business to grow? Learn from world class speakers, meet with other small business owners, and get one-on-one expert advice. Discover the latest developments in technology, innovation, and marketing – and how you can use them to drive your business. Small Business BIG ideas is not to be missed. When: 4 September, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. Where: Plenary 3 / Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Victoria, Australia. Cost: $60

3. iAwards Gala Dinner

The key goal of the iAwards is to discover, recognise and reward the technology innovations that have the potential to, or are already having a positive impact on the community – at home, in the office and on a global scale. iAwards submissions are accepted from innovators across the whole Australian economy, whether you are an individual, a group, a government or private organisation, or a student. When: 30 August, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Victoria, Australia. Cost: $250 (Member), $320 (Adult)

2. Leading with Innovation

An exciting opportunity to hear from two of CommBank’s innovation doyens: Heath Brown and Jerry Macey. They will inspire you with new ideas to expand your business horizons. Most people are born creative. As children, we revel in imaginary play but over time we become more cautious and analytical. And yet we know that creativity and innovation are essential to business success. According to a recent IBM survey of chief executives around the world, these are the most sought-after traits in leaders today. When: 23 August, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Where: Donkey Wheel House, Level 2, 637 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Cost: Free

Cec is a media professional with over fifteen years experience as an editor and journalist on titles as diverse as SX, Better Pictures, Total Rock, fasterlouder, mynikonlife and Fantastic Living. She has spent the past four years working as a news journalist covering all the issues that matter in the political, health and LGBTIQ arena. She is the Senior Writer at Pinstripe Media and a recent convert to the world of small business.